Tim tools up for V8 Ute Sydney Grand Finale

V8 Supercars Pirtek Enduro Cup co-driver Tim "The Toolman" Blanchard will return to the 2014 Australian V8 Ute Racing Series - fuelled by Hogs Breath Caf.

Racing for Williams Race Tech, Blanchard will drive the #41 Track Buddy Holden SS for the Grand Finale Round at the Sydney NRMA 500 this weekend.

A former Australian Formula Ford Champion, Blanchard drove full time in the 2013 V8 Supercars Championship, and this year partnered with Russell Ingall in the Repair Management Australia Holden Commodore for the Pirtek Enduro Cup.

He also raced a V8 Ute at Townsville in his fourth outing in the Series; drove the Auto One Wildcard at Hidden Valley Raceway in 2011 and 2012, and debuted in the Series at the 2010 Gold Coast 600.

"I'm starting to get my head around it, and I'll definitely be a lot more competitive this weekend," he said.

"I'm not in the championship so for me it's about getting some good results and having a good weekend for my new sponsor Track Buddy."

Wayne Williams, Team Manager of Williams Race Tech, has great faith in Blanchard.

"For the Sydney round, we are introducing a very special and interesting supporter to the sport in Track Buddy, and wanted to have a special driver on board, so we've signed Tim (Blanchard)," Williams said.

Also returning to the series will be Michael Almond, who drove at Sandown Raceway last year.

He will drive his #44 Copyworld Holden, while former V8 Supercar Development Series driver Nathan Vince will steer #19 Holden that was driven by Bathurst local Terry Nightingale.

Queenslander Tyler Greenbury will take over the Big Gun Racing Ford, previously driven by Cam Wilson, while Mason Barbera will also debut in the Australian V8 Ute Racing Series.

Barbera recently competed in the New Zealand Series, standing on the podium alongside Series leader and newly crowned New Zealand Champion Kris Walton at the final round in Pukekohe, where Barbera claimed third overall for the round.

The drivers will hit the track this Friday 5th December for two practice sessions with Race 1 on Saturday televised live on 7Mate at 12:30pm AEDT and Race 2 on Sunday, 7th December at 12pm.